Category Archives: modern black dolls

Crissy Grow-Hair Family

Name: Black Ideal Crissy Family, L-R:  Beautiful Crissy, Tressy, Velvet, Tara, Cinnamon Made by and When: Ideal Dolls Beautiful Crissy (1969), Tressy (1971), Velvet (1970), Tara (1976), Cinnamon (1973) Material: Vinyl Height: Crissy and Tressy are 18 inches. Velvet and Tara are 15-1/2 inches. Cinnamon is 12 inches. Hair/Eyes/Mouth: Black pupil-less eyes with eyelashes (Crissy,Continue reading “Crissy Grow-Hair Family”

40th Anniversary First Black Barbie

Name: 40th Anniversary First Black Barbie Made by and When: Mattel, 2019 copyright, released in February 2020 Material: Vinyl Marks: Unknown (doll is still boxed) Height: 11-1/2 inches Hair/Eyes/Mouth: Black upswept Afro puff/brown painted/full red lips Clothes: Shimmery red flowing, trumpet-style gown with cut-away sleeves and side split, red high-heel shoes, bold gold necklace inspiredContinue reading “40th Anniversary First Black Barbie”

1980 Black Barbie Reproduction

Name: My Favorite Barbie 1980 Black Barbie Reproduction Made by and When: Mattel, 2009 (released in 2010) Material: Vinyl Marks: Unknown (doll remains attached to box liner) Height: 11-1/2 inches Hair/Eyes/Mouth: Black Afro/brown painted eyes/red painted pursed lips Clothes: Red two-piece shimmery top and skirt. The skirt is longer than the first Black Barbie’s skirt.Continue reading “1980 Black Barbie Reproduction”

Mary McLeod Bethune

Name: Mary McLeod Bethune Made by and When: I. Roberta Bell (Bertabel Dolls), 1969 Material: Porcelain head and hands with tan cloth, sawdust-filled body, arms, legs and feet Marks: Mary McLeod Bethune / ”Berta Bell” / ©1969 (incised by the artist on the back of the shoulder plate) Height: 17 inches Hair/Eyes/Mouth: Gray wig fashionedContinue reading “Mary McLeod Bethune”

Diana Ross (Three Versions)

Name: Diana Ross Made by and When: Mego (1977), Ideal (1969), Mattel (2003) Material: Vinyl and rigid plastic Marks: (Mego) MOTOWN RECORD / CORPORATION (on head); MEGO CORP. 1975 / Made in Hong Kong on body. (Ideal)1968 Ideal Toy Corp DR-18-H148 (head); 1969 Ideal Toy Corp GH-18 US Pat. #3,162,976 (on buttocks) Height: 12-1/4, 18,Continue reading “Diana Ross (Three Versions)”

Grown Up Tammy

Name: Grown Up Tammy Made by and When: Ideal Toys, 1965 Material: Vinyl Marks: 1965 / Ideal / 7-12 (on right hip) Height: 12 inches Hair/Eyes/Mouth: Brown rooted hair/brown side-glancing eyes/painted red lips Clothes: White-trimmed turquoise romper, white vinyl shoes Other: Ideal created this slender Tammy that could wear some of Barbie’s clothes. The originalContinue reading “Grown Up Tammy”

Swim Set Baby Zuri

Photographs courtesy of Karen Kilburn Name: BabyZuri Made by and When: Shindana Toys/1975 Material: Soft vinyl Marks: SHINDANA TOYS 1972 / DIV.OPERATION BOOTSTRAP INC. Height: 13 inches Hair/Eyes/Mouth: Brown sculpted curls/black painted eyes with brown irises/drink and wet mouth with painted lips Clothes: Two-piece swim suit and overskirt, bare feet Other: Includes an inflatable swan;Continue reading “Swim Set Baby Zuri”

Baby Zuri

Photographs courtesy of Karen Kilburn Name: Baby Zuri Made by and When: Shindana Toys/1972 Material: Soft vinyl (light, medium, and dark vinyl versions were made; a white Baby Zuri was also made). Marks: SHINDANA TOYS 1972/DIV.OPERATION BOOTSTRAP INC. Height: 13 inches Hair/Eyes/Mouth: Black or brown Sculpted curls/black painted eyes with brown irises/drink and wet mouthContinue reading “Baby Zuri”